This week, we discuss neuroendocrine tumours and melanoma as our ESMO 25 journey continues. Trials for neuroendocrine cancers include HIF-2 alpha inhibitors, targeted alpha therapy, and a classic anti-PD-1/TIGIT bispecific antibody combined with standard etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapies.

Melanoma is once again seeking that elusive breakthrough: the second-line therapy that demonstrates immunotherapy is not a one-time opportunity. We also highlight both the BNT111 RNA-based lipoplex immunotherapy targeting agent and the question of whether early discontinuation of immunotherapy could be beneficial.

Studies:

LITESPARK-15

IMPRESS-Norway trial

Abstract 1510M0

BNT111 (NCT04526899)

Safe Stop Trial

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. MSD provided virtual participation with ESMO. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our third instalment of ESMO 2026, we explore lung cancer in all its glory, including small cell, mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer.

Studies:

DeLLphi-303

SOHO-01

ALBATROS

PAULIEN

DREAM3R

OptiTROP-Lung04

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. MSD provided virtual participation with ESMO. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ESMO 2025 continues this week with coverage including early breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer and gynaecological malignancies. A mammoth episode covering giants and pioneers of the oncology world.

Studies:

SOLTI-RIBOLARIS

POSITIVE

monarchE:

DESTINY-Breast11

evERA

ASCENT-03

TROPION-Breast02 trial

ROSELLA

DICE trial

ENGOT-ov65/KEYNOTE-B96 study

ROSELLA

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Virtual participation with ESMO was provided by MSD. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a short break for some pretty major life changes (more details in the episode), Josh and Michael return to tackle the best and brightest of ESMO 2025. With support from MSD, our dynamic duo play host to the inaugural Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind Awards. Today, they look at studies in pre-clinical science, supportive care and rare cancers to find their favourite studies amidst the goldmine that was this year's European Oncology Extravaganza.

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Virtual participation with ESMO was provided by MSD. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the focus shifts away from the more "garden-variety" non-small cell lung cancer and to its less common, frequently more aggressive sibling, small cell lung cancer. Here, Josh and Michael examine the management of limited-stage small cell lung cancer, which while accounting for a minority of cases, is no less interesting and potentially confusing.

Studies discussed in this episode:

PCI Meta Analysis

ADRIATIC

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, Josh and Michael exchange the established treatment landscape of EGFR and ALK mutant NSCLC for the developing management of disease harbouring KRAS and MET mutations. The most common mutation meets one of the least common in this battle of therapeutic tenacity.

Studies discussed in this episode:

INSIGHT-2

KRYSTAL-12

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael and Josh take a dive into the world of driver mutations, looking at two of the most clinically consequential: EGFR and ALK mutations. The work done in these areas has led to treatments that represent incredible advances over chemotherapy. How incredible? You'll just have to listen and find out.

Studies discussed in this episode:

MARIPOSA

CROWN

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advanced or Metastatic Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLCa), is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. This week, Michael provides an excellent background on this type of cancer, and Josh provides an eloquently short introduction (for once). These trials look specifically at lung cancers without mutations, thus relying on immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

As a side note, can you believe Keynote189 is over 7 years old! How time flies!

Studies discussed in this episode:

Keynote 189

Checkmate 9LA

For more episodes, resources and blog posts, visit www.inquisitiveonc.com

Please find us on Twitter @InquisitiveOnc!

If you want us to look at a specific trial or subject, email us at inquisitiveonc@gmail.com

Art courtesy of Taryn Silver

Music courtesy of AlisiaBeats: https://pixabay.com/users/alisiabeats-39461785/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. If you are unwell, seek medical advice.

Oncology for the Inquisitive Mind is recorded with the support of education grants from our foundation partners Pfizer, Gilead Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Our partners have access to the episode at the same time you do and have no editorial control over the content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.